Saving for Croatia and Slovenia!

Hello after so long! I'll jump right into it.

I'm going to Croatia and Slovenia with my pal from March 25th - April 3rd. I want to save money for said adventure. Flights and all AirBnBs are booked, so I'm saving for my share of the rental car, meals and miscellaneous fun (like paragliding in Slovenia).

So here we go, on another Spending Diet! Unlike a Spending Freeze, a Diet allows me a small budget for wants.

Needs this month

  • Rent (utilities included) - $350/month
  • Dog food - $20/month
  • Cell phone bill - $42/month
  • Car & apartment insurance - $109/month
  • Health insurance - $120/month
  • Virtual assistant services to answer business calls and emails, and schedule clients
  • Gym membership - $53/month
  • Gas - approx $70/month
  • Groceries - I have some gift cards for Price Chopper, but I may save them for the spring, so I'll probably spend $30-100 in this category.
  • Personal care - Leg waxing is a need for me.
  • Accountant fee - $275 this month only (I'm self employed. Ain't no way I do my own taxes).
  • Spotify - It's non-negosh. I needs.
  • $25 budget for work supplies (may not end up needing any)
  • Legal insurance - $40.50/month
  • Roth IRA contribution - $500/month
  • One mandatory birthday gift - $30
  • My share of house cleaning service - $37.50/month
  • Euro trip money - $1000 (may not end up spending all that)
  • Burning Man ticket - $500ish
  • Flights for various trips this year, IF they are on sale this month.

Wants this month
  • Dining out (by far my biggest downfall/spending trap)
  • Personal training sessions
  • Clothing.
  • Personal care other than waxing, including haircuts, manis/pedis, etc.
  • Escape room- I REALLY wanna do one this month.
  • Movies, and other entertainment.
  • Alcohol.
  • Audible and Pandora.
  • A down comforter. My room is COLD, and I want one so, so badly. But, tripling up the blankets will have to do.
This month I will allow myself $200 on Wants.


Today's triumphs:

  • First thing when I woke up this morning, I went to mint.com and set my budgets for the month.
  • I switched my doggie's heartworm/flea/tick meds to generic, saving about $150 a year.
  • I did not go to Robek's and buy my favorite protein shake after the gym this morning. I made my own at home. Ditto lunch- made my own.
  • I told my trainer Monique that I can't book any gym sessions with her, unless I book more work than expected. I have a huge incentive now, because I deeply love my sessions with Monique, and hate to sacrifice those. I will have to recreate our sessions at my regular gym, but of course it won't be the same.
Today's Challenges
  • I have preexisting dinner plans tonight, followed by a birthday party. I plan to skip an adult bevvie at dinner, as well as an appetizer and dessert, and just go for an entrĂ©e. Bonus- I will feel less full at the party. The party is BYOB, and I have some vodka and La Croix at home already, that I plan to bring for myself.

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